The St. Patrick’s Day-themed ‘Johnny’s Jog for Charity’ 5K, which supports local nonprofit children’s organizations, will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2024, in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square.

By Ronni Newton

Johnny’s Jog attracts large crowds – whether it’s freezing cold, rainy and raw, or bright and sunny – and this year should be no exception as participants don green attire and lace up their running shoes for a day that’s really all about community spirit and celebration.

The annual Johnny’s Jog for Charity 5K will return to West Hartford’s Blue Back Square on Sunday, March 23, 2025. The race starts at 10:30 a.m., but the festivities begin at 9 a.m. To continue the spirit of inclusivity, participants can also do the race virtually.

Johnny’s Jog founders and organizers (from left): Dan Clark, Kelly Clark, Laura Moran, Dan Moran. Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 24, 2024.. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

Laura Moran and her husband, Dan Moran, and their friends and fellow West Hartford residents Dan and Kelly Clark, founded the 5K fundraising event in 2011, and it has taken place each year since then with the exception of 2020 due to the pandemic. The event was inspired by the incredible, brave, but sadly brief life of Laura and Dan Moran’s son, Johnny, who was born in 2007 with Wieacker Wolff Syndrome, a rare and debilitating condition. Johnny passed away in April 2016, but the organization and race founded in his honor continue to celebrate his resilience, strength, and positive attitude, and bring the community together.

Johnny’s Jog has raised more than $850,000 since its inception, impacting countless lives in the community.

“This event has become one of the best days of the year for us,” said Kelly Clark in an announcement about the 2025 event. “It is a day filled with smiles, festivities, positivity and the true beauty of this community. We continue to be amazed by the unwavering support of our volunteers, sponsors and participants year after year!”

“This year, we’re not just racing; we’re dancing, laughing, and celebrating – all for a great cause,” the announcement states.

Isham Road will be closed to traffic, and beginning at 9 a.m. there will be bagpipes and a live performance by the local band Acoustic Marshpit. Irish Step Dancers from Mulcahy Academy will also perform, and an inflatable Gaga pit, courtesy of the Farmington Valley YMCA, will keep the kids entertained.

There will also be sweet treats being handed out by Kilwins and the soon-to-open Candy Time, raffles, and a mini music lesson from West Hartford’s School of Rock. Anyone who is chilly can warm up with a complimentary Dunkin’ coffee or hot chocolate.

Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 24, 2024.. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

Prizes will be given out for those decked out in the best Irish garb.

The celebration will continue after the race at Rockledge Grille, where the after party will feature “good food, fellowship, a raffle, and exclusive auction items to support our charity partners,” organizers said.

The beneficiaries of the race are all children’s-related nonprofits, and include Covenant Preparatory School of Hartford, which provides tuition-free middle school to boys in underserved families in the City of Hartford in order to help them graduate academically prepared for further education (www.covenantprep.org); the Miracle League of Connecticut, which fosters a community and sports facilities that remove all barriers so young athletes with unique needs are able to join their friends and experience the joy and triumph of team sports in their purest form (www.miracleleaguect.org); and the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation which helps finance the purchase of much-needed medical supplies or services when insurance is exhausted and other social programs are unavailable (www.mollytango.org). These organizations benefit the lives of countless children annually and depend on communal donations to do so.

The organization chooses a rotating beneficiary, which this year is the Sunflower Kids Program at Connecticut Children’s – which provides an extra layer of support to patients and their families facing potentially life-limiting or chronic illnesses, helps with pain and symptom management, goals of care conversations, and care coordination, and aims to make each day as good as it can be.

Johnny’s Jog is thankful to NBT Bank, which has returned for the second year as the exclusive Grand St. Patrick’s Club sponsor showing impressive community support after being a sponsor for several years, as well as to the many other sponsoring organizations from throughout the community.

Registration for the 5K is $40 for those age 14 or older, $10 for ages 5-13, and free for under age 5, with options for both timed and untimed participants. Early packet pick-up will be on March 21, from 3-6 p.m., at West Hartford Town Hall. Only pre-registration guarantees receipt of an event t-shirt.

For more information about Johnny’s Jog or to register, volunteer, or sponsor, visit the website www.johnnysjog.com.

You can also ollow Johnny’s Jog for Charity on Facebook or Instagram (@johnnysjog). Johnny’s Jog gear can also be found online here.

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